The People Warned by the Prophet

Having received this definite instruction, “Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people that asked of him a king.” “Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “Nay; but we will have a king over us; that we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.” 1 Samuel 8:10, 19, 20.AGP 68.2

The seriousness of this revolt against the government of Jehovah was set forth with still greater emphasis at the time of the coronation of the king that had been chosen. On that occasion Samuel said to the people:AGP 68.3

“When ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the Lord your God was your king.” “Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the Lord will do before your eyes. Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call unto the Lord, and He shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking you a king. So Samuel called unto the Lord; and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.” 1 Samuel 12:12, 16-19.

From Adam to the time of the prophet Samuel the Lord had been both recognized and gladly accepted by His people as their divine king. He had ordained a form of government for His loyal subjects which should continue to the end of time.AGP 69.1

Although the details of administration may have been few and comparatively simple in the beginning, and even for generations, yet the plan of the government was, from the first, as perfect and complete as when later fully organized by Moses and administered by Samuel.AGP 69.2